Introduction to Fruit Crop and Dryland Wheat

Course Number:
AG 104
Transcript Title:
Introduction to Fruit Crop and Dryland Wheat
Created:
Oct 31, 2026
Updated:
Oct 31, 2026
Total Credits:
3
Lecture Hours:
22
Lecture / Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
33
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0

Course Description

Delves into specific and regional information for two of the area's largest agricultural production crops: dryland wheat systems in Wasco, Sherman, and Morrow counties and fruit crops in Wasco and Hood River counties. Introduces the vast breadth of skills and tools needed to operate within these two giant industries, while investigating the timing, technology and productivity of each production cycle, from pruning and grafting to soils and seed drills. Includes historical background as well as modern changes, and examines current market trends. Provides opportunities to meet with key players in research, production, packaging, support services, oversight, marketing, and distribution during onsite field trips. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Articulate form and function of plant parts and cycles as they apply to fruit crops and dryland wheat.

  2. Diagnose pest issues across plant systems (i.e. soil, root, stalk, and leaf) and apply control methods.

  3. Provide appropriate seasonal tree care skills for orchards.

  4. Develop field management plans for annual wheat crops.

  5. Leverage soil testing to evaluate physical soil profiles and essential nutrients, to diagnose crop deficiencies and develop soil health strategies.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Articulate form and function of plant parts and cycles as they apply to fruit crops and dryland wheat.

  • Plant anatomy and function

  • Identifying healthy root structures and soil measures

  • Increasing production using pollination strategies (Bees/bee business, Options in the area)

  • Seeding cycles and perennial lifespans

  • Species transition processes

Outcome #2: Diagnose pest issues across plant systems (i.e. soil, root, stalk, and leaf) and apply control methods.

  • Field diagnostic skills to identify pests affecting both above-ground and below-ground crop structures.

  • Differences between the life cycles, habitats, and behaviors of key pest species versus beneficial (prey) species.

  • Key pest species and established control models specific to the Columbia Basin agricultural region.

  • Preventative practices to limit pest introduction and mitigate cross-contamination in the field.

  • Local agricultural networks (OSU Extension Office, agricultural sales agents) for accurate pest data, and evaluate real-world management strategies through case studies provided by local field managers.

Outcome #3: Provide appropriate seasonal tree care skills for orchards.

  • Maintenance of orchard crops (Planting, pruning, pest identification, pollination, fruit set, Spray cycle vs pest life cycle considerations, Technological advances in trellis and tree production)

  • Harvest skills and techniques

  • Soil water sensors for irrigation needs

Outcome #4: Develop field management plans for annual wheat crops.

  • Wheat crop management (stages of wheat development, predictive factors for health and harvest timing)

  • Harvest skills and techniques

  • Soil water sensors for irrigation needs

Outcome #5: Leverage soil testing to evaluate physical soil profiles and essential nutrients, to diagnose crop deficiencies and develop soil health strategies.

  • Soil types and profiles. Inherent benefits and challenges of each.

  • Soil sampling and testing (including specific N-P-K and Carbon tests). Accuracy of field data vs formal laboratory results.

  • Cycles, sources, and desired levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Carbon.

  • Mechanics of nitrogen fixation.

  • Plant signs of nutrient deficiencies.

  • Methods to amend soils to achieve ideal nutrient balances.

  • Long-term maintenance of soil health (i.e. carbon sequestration, increasing organic matter, no-till strategies, etc.).

Suggested Texts and Materials

Use of listed Texts/Materials is not required unless so noted.